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Menopause

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Original poster

Weaning off HRT

253 replies

RatatouilleAndFeta · 07/05/2023 13:06

Anyone want to do this together?

I've been on it for 1.5 years.
Have tried the spray, the patches, testogel, the vag oestrogen... I'm feeling anxious all the time and have put on weight. My boobs are like melons. I'm tired of thinking about it all the time!

Today I bought some fish oil. And I have the menopace tablets.
Going to try to swim every day and add in some yoga.

Majorly cutting down on carbs, sugar & alcohol.

Am a bit apprehensive about how much my joints ached pre-HRT, but
I feel like if I can lose the extra 3st I'm carrying, the joint aches might not require the HRT anyway.

Oh am going to stick with the vag cresm as it's very low and definitely has a positive effect.

Am weaning off, as I was on a 75 patch and had some 50's left over.

I'll post how it's going here every day.
Be lovely if anyone is thinking of quitting, and wants to join me?

😊

OP posts:
BooseysMom · 10/07/2023 06:47

TeeNoG · 10/07/2023 06:35

@BooseysMom whatever you decide to do, I hope you feel significantly better soon!

Ah, thanks! I just want to stop feeling like a walking balloon!!! 😂

TeeNoG · 10/07/2023 07:06

An angry walking balloon 😂. Honestly, I'm not making light of it, it's awful but im glad you can laugh.

If it helps, I stopped my HRT about 2 months ago now and am around 6lbs lighter and feel much less bloated. I have improved my diet too, so not all HRT related, but I do think it is linked.

arghtriffid · 10/07/2023 07:26

My stomach is a bubbling huge lump too. I am on 100 mcg patches and the mirena coil. My breasts are also huge. I would like to come off both but am unsure about the best way forward.

I might just take off the patch and hope for the best.

arghtriffid · 10/07/2023 07:27

If it helps, I stopped my HRT about 2 months ago now and am around 6lbs

Do you have a coil?

LadyBird1973 · 10/07/2023 08:29

I think that maybe some of you should ask for blood tests to see if your oestrogen patches/gel are being absorbed. Also get your testosterone levels checked as testosterone is important for muscle aches and GPS often won't prescribe it, which means that HRT is only doing 2/3 of the job of keeping hormones at the right level and balanced.
Utrogestan tablets gave me 2 week headaches so I swapped to patches. Iirc there are different kinds of patch and gel so might be worth considering a change if you don't get on with one type.

I've reduced my dose to just the Everol Sequi patches and cut out the top up gel that I was using. I'm also making huge lifestyle changes (low carb, reduced alcohol, plus vit B, D and magnesium) so I can try to work out what were perimenopause symptoms and what are symptoms caused by being overweight and eating too much sugar. So far on a reduced dose, my aches are worse but everything else seems okay do far. Will see how it goes as I lose more weight.

What concerns me about stopping and taking supplements is the loss of protection for bones etc. The supplements might control symptoms but do they increase your own oestrogen production?

It's so hard though, not knowing what to do for the best. All the expert advice says that HRT doesn't cause weight gain but imo it does for some of us.
And I didn't realise until recently that too much oestrogen was also problematic.

TeeNoG · 10/07/2023 09:29

arghtriffid · 10/07/2023 07:27

If it helps, I stopped my HRT about 2 months ago now and am around 6lbs

Do you have a coil?

No, no coil. No kind of hormonal treatment at all - though I am absolutely not ruling it out for future.

arghtriffid · 10/07/2023 10:04

What concerns me about stopping and taking supplements is the loss of protection for bones etc. The supplements might control symptoms but do they increase your own oestrogen production?

Yes, I too went onto HRT to help with joint pain. I had terrible pain in my knees, ankles and hands. Since taking HRT combined with exercise (which I was unable to do through what felt like crumbling joints) has gone completely.

The downside is I am blowing up like a balloon. I am very fit now - can do full press ups - run miles, but look like 'Mrs Trunchbull.' My stomach could pass for 6 months pregnant.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 10/07/2023 10:25

I just stopped, cold turkey, it was fine for me.
feeling better and weight is slowly coming off but yes, I’m also concerned about my bones. Bit if a lose/lose, which is crap.

Tiggerhere123 · 10/07/2023 14:58

No they are quite squidgy, I've not choked yet lol xx

Mary46 · 10/07/2023 18:36

Vitamin D good for bone health too. I def ballooned with the patches.

BooseysMom · 10/07/2023 20:54

TeeNoG · 10/07/2023 07:06

An angry walking balloon 😂. Honestly, I'm not making light of it, it's awful but im glad you can laugh.

If it helps, I stopped my HRT about 2 months ago now and am around 6lbs lighter and feel much less bloated. I have improved my diet too, so not all HRT related, but I do think it is linked.

That just shows it doesn't suit everyone. I've been on and off it for over a year now and every time I feel the same. The other thing to note is that I have to try and remember what symptoms are caused by menopause and what are down to the HRT? It's a minefield

Yes I agree you have to laugh otherwise you'd be in an institution!! 😂

BooseysMom · 10/07/2023 20:58

LadyBird1973 · 10/07/2023 08:29

I think that maybe some of you should ask for blood tests to see if your oestrogen patches/gel are being absorbed. Also get your testosterone levels checked as testosterone is important for muscle aches and GPS often won't prescribe it, which means that HRT is only doing 2/3 of the job of keeping hormones at the right level and balanced.
Utrogestan tablets gave me 2 week headaches so I swapped to patches. Iirc there are different kinds of patch and gel so might be worth considering a change if you don't get on with one type.

I've reduced my dose to just the Everol Sequi patches and cut out the top up gel that I was using. I'm also making huge lifestyle changes (low carb, reduced alcohol, plus vit B, D and magnesium) so I can try to work out what were perimenopause symptoms and what are symptoms caused by being overweight and eating too much sugar. So far on a reduced dose, my aches are worse but everything else seems okay do far. Will see how it goes as I lose more weight.

What concerns me about stopping and taking supplements is the loss of protection for bones etc. The supplements might control symptoms but do they increase your own oestrogen production?

It's so hard though, not knowing what to do for the best. All the expert advice says that HRT doesn't cause weight gain but imo it does for some of us.
And I didn't realise until recently that too much oestrogen was also problematic.

Thanks, that's really interesting about the testosterone levels. I would never have thought of that.

It has definitely caused massive weight gain and bloating for me. I just hope I can lose it.

BooseysMom · 10/07/2023 21:02

What concerns me about stopping and taking supplements is the loss of protection for bones etc. The supplements might control symptoms but do they increase your own oestrogen production?

Forgot to say that this concerns me too. I take supplements but just a general multi vitamin. I never thought of the increase in oestrogen production in relation to supplements.

GCWorkNightmare · 10/07/2023 21:10

Spoke to a GP today. He said I can phase off HRT or just stop but to expect a bleed when I do. I’m on holiday next week so planning to go to every other day for a week when I get back and then stop. Have ordered the red clover supplements someone recommended. I can always try HRT again in future when it’s clear that the issues are hormone based and not lifestyle.

arghtriffid · 10/07/2023 21:14

Please update how you get on. Good luck!

BooseysMom · 11/07/2023 03:56

GCWorkNightmare · 10/07/2023 21:10

Spoke to a GP today. He said I can phase off HRT or just stop but to expect a bleed when I do. I’m on holiday next week so planning to go to every other day for a week when I get back and then stop. Have ordered the red clover supplements someone recommended. I can always try HRT again in future when it’s clear that the issues are hormone based and not lifestyle.

Hope it goes smoothly. I'll be doing the same. I can't see any point continuing. We can keep each other going on here if you like! Good luck 🙂

Original poster
RatatouilleAndFeta · 11/07/2023 06:48

GCWorkNightmare · 10/07/2023 21:10

Spoke to a GP today. He said I can phase off HRT or just stop but to expect a bleed when I do. I’m on holiday next week so planning to go to every other day for a week when I get back and then stop. Have ordered the red clover supplements someone recommended. I can always try HRT again in future when it’s clear that the issues are hormone based and not lifestyle.

I've just stopped totally this week. Last patch was Friday.
When to expect the bleed?

OP posts:
Original poster
RatatouilleAndFeta · 11/07/2023 06:50

And have to say that, even after a few days I feel much less bloated!

OP posts:
TeeNoG · 11/07/2023 08:06

@RatatouilleAndFeta I had my bleed around the expected time, maybe a few days later than usual.

I will say that the two bleeds I've had since stopping the HRT are lighter and shorter too, I really hope that continues!

Original poster
RatatouilleAndFeta · 11/07/2023 08:41

TeeNoG · 11/07/2023 08:06

@RatatouilleAndFeta I had my bleed around the expected time, maybe a few days later than usual.

I will say that the two bleeds I've had since stopping the HRT are lighter and shorter too, I really hope that continues!

Good to hear.
So far f I've just had a bleed then stopped, should hopefully be ok for a month?

OP posts:
Original poster
RatatouilleAndFeta · 11/07/2023 08:42

Can anyone recommend a brand of red clover extract please?

OP posts:
Twoshoesnewshoes · 11/07/2023 09:13

@RatatouilleAndFeta have a look on the avogel website, they have supplements and lots of info about menopause too.

Original poster
RatatouilleAndFeta · 11/07/2023 14:11

Twoshoesnewshoes · 11/07/2023 09:13

@RatatouilleAndFeta have a look on the avogel website, they have supplements and lots of info about menopause too.

Ooo lovely thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
RatatouilleAndFeta · 12/07/2023 08:29

Really feeling the aches and pains returning today. Looking at the A Vogel website, it seems that Devil's Claw might help. Has anyone tried this?

OP posts:
BooseysMom · 12/07/2023 13:59

I spoke to the menopause nurse at the surgery yesterday and she said it's fine to completely stop everything and you don't need to wean off or cut patches in half or anything! She said it won't harm your body to stop and then start again if you feel it's getting too much. I said I was really worried about crashing but she said to stay positive and phone again if it happens I asked about having the coil and she said that's just for controlling the bleeding and so wouldn't help with any other menopause symptoms.

So that's it, I'm finishing it now and will see how it goes.

Good luck to those choosing the same route.